Ow my gums!

[LLtheTinkerbell]

Help! Wondering if anyone else is experiencing really tender, red gums? I'm currently 16.5 weeks, and my gums have been in this state since close to the beginning of the pregnancy.  I had a cleaning at 11 weeks and bled all over the hygienist! My gums are red right where they meet the teeth and they bleed EVERY time I brush.  They can even bleed if I rub them with my finger.  I tried flossing (which I admit I don't do regularly when not pregnant, but have never had a problem with tender gums), but the results were so terrifying I don't do it anymore.  I brush regularly and use Oral B mouthwash, and sometimes super-astringent Listerine...wondering if anyone has had any success in keeping their gums pink and not so tender??? 

[myk]

yup, my gums have been really something else.. flossing regularly and using a whitening mouthwash seems to help. don't ask me why the whitening listerine is any better than other listerine, but that's my experience. the gums are puffy and the vascular tissue is really sensitive, so really flossing (even if it looks like there's been a murder in my bathroom after) ALL THE TIME and following up with the whitening listerine is the only thing that's kept my gums from, well.. looking like there's been a murder in my bathroom every day.

[lillymonster]

yes, mine were like that in early pregnancy, then I also had a dental appt which really really hurt and was very bloody, just for a cleaning.  But it's gotten better for me now, I am 38 weeks and I don't seem as sensitive anymore

[LLtheTinkerbell]

Thanks, glad I'm not alone! I will get back into the flossing habit despite the mess! Glad to hear it tapers off later too...:)